怜惜 liánxī to take pity on
to take pity on; to feel tenderness toward
How to remember 怜惜: 怜 to pity + 惜 pity = to take pity on.
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How it is used
- To feel tender pity and want to protect - 他怜惜地看着那只小猫 (tā liánxī de kàn zhe nà zhī xiǎo māo) he looked at the kitten with tender pity.
- Combines compassion with cherishing/protectiveness, warmer than plain 同情 (sympathize).
- Literary, gentle register; objects are the weak, small, or suffering.